Automation World Gets Your Questions Answered

In this episode, we connect with Damantha Boteju, Configit's chief product and technology officer, to learn more about configuration lifecycle management and why manufacturers need consistent, connected configuration data for AI to deliver real, scalable business value.

In this episode, we connect with Jayesh Jariwala, senior project engineer with system integrator Applied Control Engineering to discuss virtual controller technology, hypervisors and virtualization in general and what these technologies mean for manufacturers.

CESMII's new i3X platform aims to standardize manufacturing APIs, enabling portable apps across vendor platforms and ending costly system fragmentation. We connect with Jonathan Wise, CTO at CESMII, to understand how i3X is design to help manufacturers, how it works with standards such as OPC UA, MQTT and ISA 95, as well as how it handles connectivity with legacy OT systems.

In this episode, we connect with Basma Ahmed, industrial Ethernet product manager at Weidmuller, to understand how selecting the right Ethernet switch for your industrial network depends on several key factors, including application requirements, distance, performance, security, monitoring and overall cost. This choice often comes down to understanding when an unmanaged or managed Ethernet switch or Single Pair Ethernet switch is the right fit within your overall network architecture. This episode is sponsored by DigiKey, a global distributor of electronic components and automation products that features Weidmuller products.

In this episode, we connect with Stefan Basenach, senior vice president of automation technology at ABB, to learn how ABB's new dual-environment architecture, called Automation Extended, enables the integration of AI, predictive maintenance and cybersecurity upgrades while protecting reliable core control functions in the distributed control system.

In this episode, we connect with Dale Hopkinson, senior product manager with Thales, a supplier of technologies for the aerospace, defense and security industry and a provider of cybersecurity and digital identity technologies, to learn how OEMs are leveraging modular software licensing to replace costly hardware variants, creating predictable revenue while delivering customizable capabilities to industrial customers. This episode is sponsored by Thales.

In this episode, we connect with Austin Levin, lead automation engineer with system integrator ACS, to explore how strategic automation deployment addresses manufacturing's labor shortage by eliminating dangerous, repetitive tasks while creating engaging roles that attract new worker while also retaining skilled workers. This episode is sponsored by ACS.

Insights on how the trend of right-sizing motion systems, incorporating AI-driven adaptability, and increasing use of software-configurable electric actuators are reducing costs while improving flexibility in modern manufacturing.

Discover how a variety of technologies, from machine vision and physical AI to integrated MES and ERP systems, are revolutionizing quality control with insights from Archetype AI, ECS Solutions, Oxipital AI and Yokogawa.

A look at how manufacturers are fighting ransomware and supply chain threats with AI-powered defenses, OT-IT collaboration, and new industrial cybersecurity technologies. Access the source documents for this podcast by visiting this podcast on the Automation Word site at https://www.automationworld.com/55338375

Learn how these manufacturers eliminated hours of wasted time by unifying data from fragmented systems using MQTT Sparkplug, with Toyota leveraging Inductive Automation’s Ignition platform and MTNA deploying Opto22’s groovRIO, and both proving the value of their low-cost approach before scaling enterprise-wide.

Get Automation World’s insights on four key news items showcasing automation hardware and software successes: a game-changing industrial AI partnership led by Siemens, 177% throughput gains at Balluff using AutoStore’s automated storage tech, a combination of Körber’s MES and Pepperl+Fuchs’ HMI tech for on-site and remote global pharma production oversight and compliance, and compelling survey data from Verizon showing IoT investments driven by measurable returns within months.

In this episode, we connect with Steve Wetzel, a member of IEEE and principal applications engineer with Southwire Company, one of North America's largest wire and cable manufacturers and the sponsor of this podcast, to learn more about how the cable connecting a VFD to a motor might be costing you thousands of dollars in premature motor failures, unexpected downtime and interference with other equipment.

In this podcast episode, we've assembled insights from three articles recently published on automationworld.com that paint a picture of where AI is succeeding, where it's struggling and, most importantly, what manufacturers can actually do about it. Featured in this podcast are insights from industrial AI experts at Altimetrik, Beckhoff, Emerson and Wago.

Learn how smart sensors enable predictive maintenance, AI-powered manufacturing, and revolutionary ADAR technology that's changing industrial automation and robot safety economics with insights from Endress+Hauser, Rockwell Automation, specialty chemicals company Premix Group, and Sonair.

In this episode we explain how IT/OT convergence, the need for digital thread traceability and agentic AI have extended MES software beyond its production tracking roots and are putting it at the core of industry's digital transformation. Insights from Luigi de Bernardini, CEO of system integrator Autoware, and Francisco Almada Lobo, CEO of Critical Manufacturing, explain why and how this is happening and what manufacturers should be doing in response.

In this episode we'll look at the impact of the recently imposed U.S. tariffs on industrial automation technologies, with insights from Endress+Hauser USA, Fluke Reliability, Weidmuller USA, Actemium Avanceon and Opto 22. We'll also provide recommendations on steps automation buyers can be taking now to secure stable pricing and supply.

The summer of 2025 has shaped up to be very eventful for the robotics industry, with A3 reporting significant growth for both robots and cobots, key moves by well-known robotics experts, a new humanoid robot from major motion plastics company and a new collaboration between two industrial heavyweights.

Tim Gaus from Deloitte Consulting joins us again — this time to discuss how automation technologies, particularly those aided by AI are helping manufacturers address the industrial workforce shortage that could lead to nearly 2 million unfilled manufacturing jobs by 2030, while production and operations management roles are currently going unfilled at nearly 50%.

In this episode we connect with Sanu Warrier, product director for software at nVent, to get insights on Industry 4.0's ROI for panel builders, how design to manufacturing (DTM) software differs from traditional CAD, how DTM software helps ease the friction between engineering and manufacturing, and the cost-saving specifics that DTM software provides to panel builders.

In this episode, we connect with Kristi Martindale, chief commercial officer at Palladyne AI, to explore the use of low-code software and associated closed-loop systems to process data at the edge for AI-enabled robotics, how AI-powered robotics software adapts to new parts or processes, and what kinds of manufacturing applications stand to benefit most from this technology.

In this episode we connect with Devin Murray of Schmersal USA to learn about the new ISO 10218 robot standard, how it interacts with other parts of the ISO 10218 series of standards, how manufacturers can integrate it with their existing robotic systems, and for what kinds of manufacturing operations is this standard considered critical.

We connect with Jason Hehman, leader of Industry 4.0 at TXI, to understand the use of digital twins in supply chains operations — how they help manufacturers predict and manage supply chain disruptions and assess the impact of raw material shortages or logistics delays, and we explore the key data sources manufacturers need to build an effective supply chain digital twin.

In this episode we connect with Alex Greenberg, director of robotics 4.0 simulation at Siemens Digital Industries Software, to learn how immersive virtual reality, photorealistic simulations and AI are accelerating robot deployment assessments and manufacturing cell design.

In this episode, we connect with Dusty Alexander, CEO of Global Shop Solutions to explain ERP’s role in the digitization of manufacturing production, how it enables real-time production management, and how small to mid-sized manufacturers can justify the use of ERP for their business.

In this episode we connect with Critical Manufacturing's CEO Francisco Almada Lobo to understand how MES and industrial data platforms enable legacy equipment connectivity to drive real-time analytics, proactive maintenance and operational excellence.

Andrew Harris with system integrator ACS explains how cybersecurity fits in with equipment safety as part of a risk assessment, and the use of digital twin tech and safety PLCs as part of the safety risk assessment process.

Kevin McClusky, chief technology architect at Inductive Automation, explains why and how IT technologies such as containers, DevOps, application management and MQTT are impacting industrial operations technologies.

Tim Gaus, smart manufacturing business leader at Deloitte Consulting, explains agentic AI and how it differs from AI data analytics and AI chatbots, how manufacturers can use AI agents and where they will likely have the most impact in industry.

We connect with Ken Crawford, senior director of automation at Weidmuller, to explore the differences between open control systems and proprietary control systems, the security and reliability of open control technologies, and the process of adopting open systems for manufacturers who are using either proprietary control system technologies or those that are part of a vendor/partner ecosystem.

We connect with Brett Finley, CEO of PLZ Corp., to get first-hand insights into PLZ’s digital transformation efforts that range from the plant floor to the enterprise and into the company's supply chain operations.

Evan Novakowski with system integrator Actemium Avanceon explains the primary factors that influence how data polling over Ethernet impacts PLC cycle time, if specific Ethernet protocols are more efficient for PLC data polling, strategies to optimize PLC cycle time and more.

Lisa Masciantonio, chief workforce officer at the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute, shares her insights into how robotics and AI have changed the U.S. manufacturing landscape in the past decade, as well as the key workforce challenges manufacturers face as they implement robotics and/or AI.

As the manufacturing industries advance, and control technologies are increasingly built to withstand harsh industrial environments for direct placement on or nearby production operations, are enclosures still as vital to automation today as they’ve been in the past? Check out these insights from Jody Kinney at AutomationDirect.

This episode features input from several industrial technology experts about the automation technologies they expect to be of primary interest to manufacturers this year. From AI, robots and sustainability to preventative maintenance, inventory and workforce training, find out what industry experts from Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing, Cognizant, Fluke Reliability, Glassdome, Honeywell and Snowflake think will be the biggest automation tech factors in 2025.

In this episode, we connect with Robert Schoenberger, editor-in-chief at Industry Week, to get his insights on manufacturing business issues most likely to affect automation purchasing and implementation decisions this year.

Do you know the machine safety basics to keep workers safe and machinery operating at its peak? In this episode, we feature insights from Joe Carson, president and founder of system integrator Pacific Blue Engineering, to get you up to speed with the best practices for implementing machine safety protocols.

Referencing decisions made around IT and OT convergence at Entegris in 2008, we look at how those decisions helped the company scale its operations technology across multiple plants and support the company's growth from $550 million in 2008 to $3.5 billion in 2023, starting with HMI software on three machines and growing to 200 machines and 90,000 tags.

Clearing up some of the confusion about different artificial intelligence technologies—specifically generative AI and AI for data analytics—and how they’re being applied in the manufacturing industries as well as to the development of industrial automation technologies.

We connect with Karthee Madasamay of MFV partners, a deep tech VC firm that was an early investor in Agility Robotics (one of the largest manufacturers of humanoid robots), to learn more about the current capabilities of humanoids, their cost and maintenance requirements, and how far off we are from seeing humanoids become more commonplace in manufacturing environments.

In this episode we’ll be looking at a recent report from A3 that indicates a significant drop in robot orders in the first half of 2024 and what that may mean for manufacturers considering near-term robot purchases and implementations.

In this episode we connect with G Brooks-Zak of Outlier Automation to get insights on software-defined automation and how it can impact manufacturing, including what it means for IT/OT convergence, specific application benefits such as with predictive maintenance and AI, its current use in industry and cybersecurity.

Now that Power over Ethernet (PoE) systems can deliver up to 90W of power per port, which is enough to operate the most power-hungry IoT sensors, devices and controllers, it makes sense to get up to speed on PoE technology and how it can be used on your network.

Get insights on the issues associated with integrating edge computing into a legacy manufacturing environment, as well as how edge computing aids predictive maintenance, manufacturing operations resiliency and cybersecurity. Our guest for this podcast is Steve Mustard, former executive board member and president of the International Society of Automation and current president and CEO of National Automation.

Production monitors provide real-time data visibility, enabling operators and managers to track and improve performance, identify issues and make informed decisions quickly to enhance manufacturing efficiency, reduce downtime and improve productivity.

Repositionable motors are designed for precise and variable motion control applications and differ from fixed-position motors in that they can easily adapt to different tasks or product configurations without the need for extensive mechanical adjustments. Their ability to quickly adapt to new settings helps drive manufacturing efficiency, reduce downtime and support mass customization. We connected with Ben Van Arsdale, an application engineer with Regal Rexnord’s Power Efficiency Solutions business segment, to learn more about these motors and why they're so popular in the electronics, automotive and packaging machinery industries.

Learn about the main factors behind the difference in cost between industrial power supplies, what the Power Boost feature is, the value of a power supply's environmental ratings and certifications, the life expectancy of industrial power supplies and the relevance of their IIoT capabilities.

In this podcast, we talk with Tim Long, global head of manufacturing at Snowflake,  to understand what the company's data cloud services offer to the manufacturing industries, especially considering the wide use of cloud services from Amazon, Microsoft and Google, as well as those from automation technology suppliers. We also discuss the use of Snowflake by well-known manufacturers such as 3M, Sub-Zero, Toyota.

Research from Fluke Reliability and insights from Rockwell Automation show how artificial intelligence is changing predictive maintenance spending and how access to device dark data is poised to expand AI use and manufacturing software capabilities.

In this discussion with Ray Kok, CEO of Mendix, he explains how the development of common-use templates make it easier for manufacturing operations managers and engineers to create the apps they need without having to depend entirely on IT.